Phillips’ job security

DALLAS – Some quick thoughts on Wade Phillips’ job security while sitting on the runway at Dallas Love Field.

Yesterday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on his radio show that Phillips’ job won’t be on the line Sunday at winless Kansas City.

“No, no, it’s not,” Jones told KRLD-FM in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Jones has never fired a coach during the season. Now, that doesn’t mean he won’t ever do it, but let’s look at a few things.

For starters, who would Jones turn to? Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, whose star has lost its luster? Secondary coach Dave Campo, who arguably was the worst coach in franchise history, posting three-straight 5-11 seasons before Bill Parcells took over in 2003? Wide receivers coach Ray Sherman, who has never been a head coach?

See what I mean. There’s no really great candidate in-house to take over. And please don’t suggest Jones would hand the job over to Mike Shanahan or Mike Holmgren or any other out-of-work head coach. It’s just too difficult for someone new to come in and work with someone else’s staff.

And then there’s this: Usually coaching changes are made during the season only because the team has quit on the coach. I don’t think that’s the case here at all. Effort is not a problem. The vast majority of the players like Phillips.

So don’t look for a change during the bye week should the Cowboys lose. Now, I do think all bets are off if they lose really badly, but I don’t see that happening.

The Cowboys have a ton of issues, but I don’t think the Chiefs have enough punch on either side of the ball to knock them off.